Indian lore crowns black pepper as the king of spices, and cardamom as the queen. Widely seen in global cuisine, cardamom's use ranges from the chai masalas of India and aromatic Turkish coffee to sweet Scandinavian desserts and savory Middle Eastern braises. Cardamom’s flavor and aroma are intense and distinctively camphorous, with citrus notes and a peppery warmth.
Cardamom is a member of the Ginger family, growing on a large bush which can reach up to 16 feet in height!
Cardamom was originally cultivated in India, but was quickly introduced to other regions. Today, Guatemala is the largest cultivator of cardamom in the world, followed by it's native country of India.
Because the flavor of ground cardamom is very volatile and degrades quickly. Cardamom seeds should be ground immediately before use whenever possible.
A fantastic crop of this legendary spice recently arrived at our warehouse. Cardamom stands as one of the world's most popular spices, and there are many varieties with uses for each. Here are a few of our favorites.
The seeds found inside green cardamom pods are the most commonly used form of the spice, as the fibrous husk which encloses the seeds has already been removed. The whole seeds are easily ground for use in baking.
The distinctive green pods which hold the cardamom seeds can be added whole to flavor rice and grain dishes. The pods are the form of choice for infusions like chai masala and mulled wine.
An exotic varietal native to the Himalayas, black cardamom is a cousin of the more commonly used green cardamom pod. Black cardamom has a distinctly different flavor, with a smoky, earthy base flavor that complements heartier dishes.
The cardamom seed and hint of ginger in this ultra-moist cake complement the pears, and when you bring all these layers of flavor and texture together the result is a fantastic dessert you don’t have to feel bad about eating!
Cardamom pods are a signature flavor of the legendary chai teas of India, which mix a robust mixture of spices into a base of black tea. This traditional beverage is easy to make at home, and will instantly transport you across the globe.
These sultry beef short ribs boast black cardamom as the secret ingredient with a combination of aromatics for unparalleled flavor. Serve alongside hearty vegetables like potatoes, or slip them into some bahn mi for some lighter fare.
